Memic et al: Trial Starting September 8

Nineteen have asked for protective measures.

The men are charged with having participated in “a planned and prepared” attack on Trusina in the Konjic municipality on April 16, 1993.

The indictment alleges that Zulfikar ‘Zuka’ Alispago, commander of the Zulfikar Squad with the Main Command Headquarters of the ARBiH, knew about the attack but failed to punish the perpetrators who were his subordinates.

Prosecutors allege that 18 civilians and four members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, were killed and four people, including two children, were wounded during the attack on Gaj hamlet in Trusina.

Memic, Salcin, Hodzic and Bojadzic were members of the Zulfikar Special Purposes Squad with Main Command Headquarters of the ARBiH, while Hakalovic was member of the Neretvica 45th Mountain Brigade of the ARBiH.

Hodzic allegedly “commanded the attack from one direction” while Bojadzic, the then deputy commander of Zulfikar Squad, ordered his subordinates to attack the village. Bojadzic is also charged with having participated in the shooting of civilians and HVO members who had surrendered.

Midhat Koco, Hodzic’s lawyer, told the judges his client’s poor health meant he was not capable of following the trial or the court proceedings.

However, judges said a team of court psychiatrists determined that Hodzic was “simulating”, adding more frequent breaks during the trial was all that was required.

Hodzic left the hearing complaining about severe pain in his head.

The defence teams filed an objection during the status conference, asking the prosecution to reveal data about protected witnesses at least 10 days prior to their examination, rather than one day in advance as prosecutors proposed.